Excerpts from ‘146 Heroes’: Don C. Faith Jr.

OPINION:

The book “146 Heroes,” highlights the valor and sacrifice of the Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients of the Korean War.

Don C. Faith Jr.

Born: August 26, 1918

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 1st Battalion, 32D Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division

Conflict/Era: Korean War

Place and date: Hagaru-ri, Korea, November 27, 1950

Citation: Lt. Col. Faith, commanding 1st Battalion, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the area of the Chosin Reservoir. When the enemy launched a fanatical attack against his battalion, Lt. Col. Faith unhesitatingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved about directing the action. When the enemy penetrated the positions, Lt. Col. Faith personally led counterattacks to restore the position. During an attack by his battalion to effect a junction with another U.S. unit, Lt. Col. Faith reconnoitered the route for, and personally directed, the first elements of his command across the ice-covered reservoir and then directed the movement of his vehicles, which were loaded with wounded, until all of his command had passed through the enemy fire. Having completed this he crossed the reservoir himself.

Assuming command of the force his unit had joined, he was given the mission of attacking to join friendly elements to the south. Lt. Col. Faith, although physically exhausted in the bitter cold, organized and launched an attack which was soon stopped by enemy fire. He ran forward under enemy small-arms and automatic-weapons fire, got his men on their feet, and personally led the fire attack as it blasted its way through the enemy ring. As they came to a hairpin curve, enemy fire from a roadblock again pinned the column down. Lt. Col. Faith organized a group of men and directed their attack on the enemy positions on the right flank. He then placed himself at the head of another group of men and in the face of direct enemy fire led an attack on the enemy roadblock, firing his pistol and throwing grenades. When he had reached a position approximately 30 yards from the roadblock, he was mortally wounded, but continued to direct the attack until the roadblock was overrun.

Throughout the five days of action Lt. Col. Faith gave no thought to his safety and did not spare himself. His presence each time in the position of greatest danger was an inspiration to his men. Also, the damage he personally inflicted, firing from his position at the head of his men, was of material assistance on several occasions. Lt. Col. Faith’s outstanding gallantry and noble self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

Credit: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Mount Pleasant, SC

• The Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation sponsored by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Korea Defense Veterans Association published the Korean Medal of Honor Full-text Citation in foreign language for the first time in history.